Collapsible funnel



Jan. 1,1924 1 1,479,667

F. F. FULLER COLLAPSIBLE FUNNEL Filed July 10 '1923 anoeutoz FFFuLZer,

Patented Jan. 1, 1924.

UNITED STATES FREDERICK F. FULLER, OF GOVERT, SOUTH DAKOTA.

COLLAPSIBLE FUNNEL.

Application filed July 10, 1923.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that FREDERICK F. FULLER,

citizen of the United States, residing at Govert, in the county ofHarding and State of South Dakota, has invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Collapsible Funnels, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a collapsible funnel having particular utilityfor use 'in the filling of automobile radiators though being capable ofuse in other relations.

In the accompanyin drawing:

Fig. l is a side e evation of a funnel constructed in accordance withthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view; and

Fig. l is a fragmentary inside face view illustrating the holding meansfor the end of the upper convolution of the funnel.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in all of the figures of thedrawing.

The funnel comprising the present invention consists, in the main, of acontinuous spiral strip 5. This spiral strip is adapted to be contractedand collapsed into a base or neck extension 6. At the extremity of itsinner convolution it is provided with a sleeve or eye 7 which receivesthe horizontal portion 8 of a handle or grip 9. By mounting thehorizontal extension 8 in the eye the handle 9 may be folded down tohorizontal position when the funnel is collapsed and thus be out of theWay of the radiator filling cap of an automobile, it being understoodthat the funnel of the present construction is adapted to fit into theusual filling extension or neck of an automobile radiator. When it isdesired to use the funnel the inner convolution is drawn upwardly bygrasping the handle 9 and the tendency of the spring strip 5 to springoutwardly aids in the movement of the strip to the position illustratedin Fig. 1. After the inner convolution has sprung outwardly as far as itwill go of its own motion,.it is forced a little further out and itsedge or end 10 is engaged beneath the lug or pro- Serial No. 650,668.

- jection 11 upon the next succeeding convolution so that any tendencyof the funnel to collapse is prevented and the several convolutions areforced into fluid tight contact with each other. The'formation of auniform fluid tight contact between the several convolutions of thefunnel is further aided by the provision of coacting ribs and grooves 12and 13 which come into contact and into engagement with each other whenthe funnel has been brought to nearly distended position and whichthereafter act to insure uniformity of movement of the severalconvolutions as the funnel is brought to completely opened position. Ifdesired, the base or neck extension 6 may have pivotal enagement withthe lower convolution of the funnel proper, as indicated at 14, or thiselement 6 .may represent the filling neck of an automobile radiator.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction set forth but that it includes within its pur Viewwhateverchanges fairly come Within either the terms or the spirit of theappended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. A funnel of the character described formed of a single spiral strip,interengaging means between the end of the inner convolution of thestrip and the inner face of the next succeeding convolution,interengaging ribs and grooves upon the contacting convolutions and aring-like base with which the lower convolution is engaged. I

2. A funnel of the character described formed of a single spiral strip,interengaging means between the end of the inner convolution of thestrip and the inner face of the next succeeding convolution andinterengaging arcuate guiding grooves upon the several convolutions asand for the purposes set forth.

8. A funnel of the character described formed of a single spiral strip,interengaging means between the end of the inner convolution of thestrip and the inner face of the next'succeeding convolution and aring-like base with which the lower convolution is pivotally engaged.

4:. A funnel of the character described comprising a ring-like base, abody portion consisting of a slngle spiral strlp, the sev eralconvolutions of which are provided with intercngaging ribs and groovestogether with a detent means for engaging the outermost convolution withthe next 10 succeeding convolution to ,hold the said spiral strip indistended position.

In testimony whereof he afiixes his signature in the presence of twoWitnesses.

FREDERICK F. FULLER.

l/Vitnesscs HANS SoRENsnN, C. E. SooFIELn.

